Blurry Vision & Diabetes 

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder in which our body can’t produce insulin or can’t use insulin properly which it produced, resulting in high level of glucose in the blood. Insulin is a hormone that is responsible for controlling amount of glucose in blood by helping in breakdown of glucose (sugar) and delivers it to the cells throughout the body. Glucose is the source of energy for all the cells in the body. Having Diabetes increases the risk of developing Diabetic Eye Diseases (a group of eye conditions that affect in people with Diabetes). Blurry Vision is the first warning sign of Diabetes, which is described as a condition in which a person is unable to see fine details or a lack of sharpness while seeing the things. Diabetes can cause blur vision for various reasons which can be both short-term and long-term complications affecting the vision of diabetic people. For many people, Blurry Vision can be temporary or a short-term complication which generally resolves within few weeks when the blood sugar level is stabilized.

Lets’ see the relation between Diabetes and Blurry Vision and how can Diabetes cause Blurry Vision:

How can Diabetes affect the eyes?

Long-term uncontrolled Diabetes can result in high levels of sugar in blood which cause damage to the small blood vessels in the eye. The part of the eye that affects with this damage is called as Retina, which is a light-sensitive tissue layer located near the optic nerve and plays an important role in the vision. As Retina is affected, it results in blurred vision. 

Diabetes can cause short-tem blurriness which happens due to a different cause. The fluid in the eye shifts in and out of the eye due to high sugar levels in blood and causes the lens of the eye to swell.  This change the shape of the lens causes blurred vision because lens focuses light onto back of the eye. A blurred vision caused by this problem can restore to normal once the blood sugar levels become low.

How can Diabetes cause Blurry Vision?

There are various retinal disorders that are caused by Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy is the term that is used to describe retinal disorders. Some of the important of these disorders are Macular Edema and Proliferative Retinopathy.     

Here are four main types of eye diseases that are caused by Diabetes and which involves blurred vision as the main symptom:

Macular Edema:

Macular Edema is the condition in which macula, a part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision, swells due to the leakage of fluid. The symptoms of Macular Edema include blurry central vision, wavy vision and changes in colors.

Proliferative Retinopathy:

Proliferative Retinopathy is the condition in which small blood vessels leak into the center of the eye, resulting in Blurry Vision, seeing floaters or spots and trouble with the night vision. 

Glaucoma:

Blurry Vision can also be a symptom of Glaucoma, which involves increased pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve.  If you have Diabetes, your risk of developing Glaucoma becomes double than other older adults. Some of the symptoms of Glaucoma are loss of peripheral (side) vision, halos around lights and redness in eyes, pain in eyes and nausea or vomiting.

Cataracts:

You may have Blurry Vision if you are developing the condition of Cataracts, in which the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Young people with Diabetes are more prone to develop Cataracts than older adults. Some of the symptoms of Cataracts include cloudy or Blurry Vision, double vision mostly in one eye, faded colors, and halos around lights, sensitivity to light and a vision that don’t improve with new eye glasses or frequently changed prescription.

Are there any other causes of Blurry Vision?

Yes, there are some other causes of Blurry Vision apart from Diabetes. Some of these causes are nearsightedness, dry eyes, low blood pressure, eye injury, inflammation or infection and certain prescription drugs.

Spending a lot of time in front of computer system monitor or using a handheld electronic device can cause a blur vision. This condition is called as digital eye strain. During this condition, the eyes may feel strain of poor lighting or glare of digital screen. If you are not seated at a proper distance from the screen then this can also increase the problem. Some other signs of digital eye strain are headache, dry eyes, and shoulder or neck pain. Adjusting the workspace and taking frequent breaks can correct the problem.

Blurred vision can also be a symptom of some particular immune system disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus. The proper treatment of the underlying disease may ease the symptom of blurred vision.

When to see the ophthalmologist?

A diabetic person has an increased risk of developing various eye problems, which are collectively called as Diabetic Eye Diseases. So, it is important for you to have regular eye examination and checkups, including comprehensive eye exam once a year from professional ophthalmologist. You must also thoroughly discuss all your symptoms with the doctor as well as all the medications that you are currently taking.

Blurred vision can be a minor problem that can be treated with eye drops or a new prescription eye glasses. But, at the same time, it can be a sign of some serious eye disease or any other medical condition other than Diabetes. That is the reason, you should consult ophthalmologist if you notice Blurry Vision or any other changes in your vision.

The board certified ophthalmologists at Menger Eye Centers in Glendale, NYC are highly recommended for the best treatment of blurred vision and variety of Diabetic Eye Diseases. The eye specialists perform various advanced tests and eye exams to diagnose the problem and then devise a customized treatment plan for Blurry Vision or other eye disease or problem. They also offer general eye exams so that all the diabetic people can get the disease diagnosed promptly and get a complete treatment, resulting in giving them a healthy vision that they truly deserve.